Long-awaited call takes father to his son in Iraq

[malachi]

WTF makes people like this tick?

When it comes to war, Jim Flaherty's timing is off.

In the waning days of Vietnam, Flaherty, then 18 and full of fight and vigor, wanted to join the Marines. But his father's illness forced him to stay home and run his family's heating and air-conditioning business.

Then as a Marine reservist in 1991, he got disappointing news three days before his unit was to leave for Desert Storm: The war was over.

"Oh, my God, we were so close," Flaherty said, still smarting at missing his big chance.

He even tried to reenlist after the 9/11 terrorist strike but was told he was too old.

His father served in Korea; his brother, in Germany. Even his son beat him to the punch: Marine Sgt. James Flaherty, 24, has been in Iraq for eight months.

But now it's Jim Flaherty's turn. At age 51, the Sewell, N.J., father of six will finally get his wish. He's going to war.


http://www.philly.com/mld/inquirer/news/local/states/pennsylvania/counties/philadelphia_county/philadelphia/10753353.htm

[Karenina]

1. Be careful what you wish for...

May he receive FULL FRONTAL EXPOSURE of his wish come true.

[Magleetis]

2. See ya

don't forget to write.